Portable bath and shower restraining device

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses a device for restraining articles. More specifically, the present device may be used to restrain toiletries to a ledge of a bathtub or shower, and/or to create new storage space for articles in the bathtub or shower. The restrainer comprises a flexible panel, which restrains items positioned on a ledge or which restrains items positioned between the flexible panel and the wall. The flexible panel is secured to the wall by an attachment device, such as suction cups.

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for restraining articles. More specifically, the present device may be used to restrain toiletries to a ledge of a bathtub or shower, and/or to create new storage space for toiletries in the bathtub or shower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are many known shower and bathtub devices for holding toiletries such as shampoo, body wash, toys, etc. For showers, caddies or racks are typically used, and are often screwed into the wall of the shower or hung over the showerhead. For bathtubs, trays across the ledges of a bathtub are often used. Bucket type devices also exist which fit into the corner or suction to the wall of the shower or bathtub. These devices are often required as existing ledges in the shower and/or bathtub are not wide enough to hold the toiletries, or because additional storage for toiletries is required.

[0003] Often these shower and bathtub devices are made of rigid plastic or wire and are designed for permanent use in the shower and/or bathtub. These devices are not designed to be portable. In fact, to detach many known shower or bathtub devices requires effort and/or the use of tools.

[0004] Many of the devices have small holes and/or openings, which allow water to drain out the bottom of the device. Soap scum often collects in these small holes and/or openings making the device difficult to clean. Consequently, there is a need for a shower and/or bathtub device that is not only secure, but also portable, and easy to clean.

[0005] With many shower and/or bathtub devices for holding toiletries there is often a risk of a toiletry such as a shampoo bottle, falling out or off of the device. This often requires the person standing in the shower or bathtub to jump back, and may results in a slip and fall or a bruised toe or foot. The problem of falling toiletries also occurs when the ledge of the shower or bathtub is used for the toiletries. As such, there is a need for a shower and/or bathtub device which provides additional storage for toiletries, and which eliminates the risk of falling toiletries out or off of the device. Further there is a need for a device, which prevents toiletries from falling from an existing ledge of the shower and/or bathtub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the invention there is provided a restraining device for preventing items positioned on a ledge against a wall from falling, comprising a flexible panel, and an attachment device connected to the flexible panel. The attachment device attaches to the wall such that the flexible panel restrains the items from falling when the items are positioned on the ledge and the attachment device is attached to the wall. The restraining device may also create additional storage space by restraining items against the wall using the flexible panel when the attachment device is attached to the wall.

[0007] Preferably, the restraining device is removeably detachable from the wall. Suction cups may be used as the attachment device.

[0008] The flexible panel may be made from semi rigid plastic and may have a variety shapes such as rectangular, or ovoid shape. Inserts may be places in the flexible panel to provide rigidity and to enable the flexible panel to take a shape.

[0009] The length of the restraining device may be adjusted by moving the attachment devices or by adjusting the length of the flexible panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of the restrainer;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the restrainer in use restraining items on a ledge;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front view of the restrainer with a narrow panel in use restraining items on a ledge;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the restrainer with a panel that surrounds the item on a ledge;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a front view of the restrainer with a rectangular panel, restraining items against a wall;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a front view of the restrainer with a trapezoid shaped panel, restraining items against a wall;

[0017]FIG. 7 is front view of the restrainer with a semi-rigid insert;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a front view of the restrainer with an adjustable length using semi-rigid inserts; and

[0019]FIG. 9 is a front view of the restrainer with an adjustable length using sliding adjacent panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 a front view of the restrainer 10 is shown. The restrainer 10 is comprised of a panel 12 with a suction cup 14 attached to each corner of the panel 12. The panel 12 may be made of a semi-rigid or pliant material, such as plastic or fabric mesh, and may be folded into a compact size for traveling purposes.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2 a perspective view of the restrainer 10 is shown. The restrainer 10 may be used to prevent items 18 on a ledge 16 from falling off of the ledge 16. The panel 12 restrains the items 18, and the suction cups 14 secure the panel 12 to the wall 20.

[0022] The panel 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be of a rectangular shape, however other shapes may be used for the panel 12, such as square or ovoid. Further, although a suction cup 14 is used at each corner of the panel 12, any number of suction cups 14 may be used to adhere the panel 12 to the wall 20. Referring to FIG. 3 a restrainer 10 with a narrow panel 12 is shown restraining items 18 on a ledge 16. In this embodiment only one suction cup 14 is located at each end of the narrow panel 12 to restrain the items 18 against the wall 20.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4 a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the restrainer 10 is shown. In this embodiment the panel 12 surrounds the item 18 positioned on the ledge 16. The suction cups 14 are attached to the wall 20 from a tab 15, which extends from the outside of the panel 12.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the items 18 may be toiletries such as shampoo, or body wash, as commonly found on ledges 16 of showers and bathtubs. When the suction cups 14 are connected to the wall 20 of shower and/or bathtub the restrainer 10 will prevent items 18 such as shampoo bottles from falling off the ledge 16. Advantageously, the restrainer 10 not only enables the corner ledge of the shower and/or bathtub to safely be used to hold items 18, but also enables the main ledge, which is often narrower than the corner ledge, to be used.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5 a front view of the restrainer 10 is shown restraining items 18 against the wall 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the restrainer 10 is comprised of a panel 12 with a suction cup 14 attached to each corner of the panel 12. The panel 12 may be made of a semi-rigid or pliant material, such as plastic or fabric mesh, and may be folded into a compact size for traveling purposes. In this embodiment a new storage space is created by attaching the suction cups 14 against the wall 20. Items 18 may then be inserted between the wall 20 and panel 12.

[0026] As previously discussed, the panel 12 may come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Referring to FIG. 6 a front view of a restrainer with a trapezoid shaped panel 12 is shown. Suction cups 14 are located at each corner of the panel 12 and are attached to wall 20 to restrain item 18. The top two suction cups 14 are placed closer together to create a basket effect.

[0027] Advantageously, the restrainer 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be used to create additional storage spaces in the bathtub and/or shower for toiletries, such as shampoo, body wash, or soap.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 7 a front view of the restrainer 10 is shown with inserts 28. The inserts 28 may be used to add rigidity to the panel 12, or to provide malleability in order to shape the panel 12, which for example would enable the panel 12 to meet the specific shape of a ledge or corner. The inserts 28 slide into the trim 26, which surrounds the outer periphery of the panel 12. The inserts 28 may be made of plastic or plastic covered metal. Suction cups 14 are located at each of the corners of the panel 12.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 8, a restrainer 10 having a panel 12 with an adjustable length is shown. The restrainer 10 has a trim 26 that runs along the periphery of the panel 12 and may be used to hold semi-rigid inserts 28. As shown, in FIG. 8 a semi-rigid insert 28 is found on the left and right of the panel 12. Suction cups 14 are located at each end of the semi-rigid inserts 28. The semi-rigid inserts 28 may be made of plastic or plastic cover metal. The length of the panel 12 may be adjustable by wrapping the unneeded length of the panel 12 around the semi-rigid insert 28 on the left, right or both sides of the panel 12.

[0030] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 9 the length of the panel 12 may be adjustable by the use of two panels 12 that are fitted adjacent to each other by flexible troughs 22 on the upper and lower edges of the panel 12. The flexible troughs 22 enable the panels 12 to slide such that the length 24 may be increased or decreased. Each panel 12 has two suction cups 14 located on vertically adjacent corners.

[0031] The position of the suctions cups 14 may also be moved such that the length of the panel 12 may be adjusted. Although suction cups 14 are used to adhere the panel 12 to the wall 20, any means may be used that is detachable, yet secure.

[0032] Advantageously, the restrainer 10 avoids drainage problems as water is not trapped in small holes and or openings, and the panel may be easily rinsed or washed.

[0033] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A restraining device for preventing items positioned on a ledge against a wall from falling, comprising: (a) a flexible panel; and (b) an attachment device connected to said flexible panel, said attachment device operative to attach to said wall; wherein said flexible panel restrains said items from falling when said items are positioned on said ledge and said attachment device is attached to said wall.
 2. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said restraining device is removeably attachable from said wall.
 3. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device is one or more suction cups.
 4. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible panel is made from semi rigid plastic.
 5. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible panel is rectangular.
 6. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible panel is ovoid.
 7. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device is removeably attachable from said flexible panel to enable a length of said panel to be adjustable.
 8. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein a length of said flexible panel is adjustable.
 9. The restraining device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible panel includes inserts to increase rigidity in said flexible panel to enable said flexible panel to take a shape.
 10. A restraining device for restraining items against a wall, comprising: (a) a flexible panel; and (b) an attachment device connected to said flexible panel, said attachment device operative to attach to said wall; wherein said flexible panel restrains said items from falling when said items are positioned between said flexible panel and said wall and said attachment device is attached to said wall.
 11. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said restraining device is removeably attachable from said wall.
 12. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said attachment device is one or more suction cups.
 13. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said flexible panel is made from semi rigid plastic.
 14. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said flexible panel is rectangular.
 15. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said flexible panel is ovoid.
 16. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said attachment device is removeably detachable from said flexible panel to enable a length of said panel to be adjustable.
 17. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein a length of said flexible panel is adjustable.
 18. The restraining device according to claim 10, wherein said flexible panel includes inserts to increase rigidity in said flexible panel to enable said flexible panel to take a shape. 